Press Releases
PEN America experts are available for interviews with the press. Please direct inquiries to Suzanne Trimel, Senior Advisor, Communications and Media, at [email protected].
At a time of unprecedented attacks against the free press, PEN America Members are taking action. Join us today.
PEN America: “Appalling” and “Dangerous” Move by Florida to Cut AP Psychology Course
Freedom to Read Program Director Kasey Meehan said: “It is appalling but not surprising that Florida would attempt to gut a critical curriculum just weeks before school begins. This… More
Hundreds of Books Targeted for Removal in Iowa School District Over New ‘Age Appropriate” Law
“Our letter to Urbandale Community School District signals to district leaders and others across the state that ‘broad interpretations’ of vague laws threaten the freedom to read for students… More
PEN America: Trump’s Lawyers’ First Amendment Assertions on Indictment Are “Bogus” and “Readily Debunked”
“Donald Trump's legal team's assertion of a First Amendment defense to four charges of felony conspiracy, including to defraud the United States and obstruct an official proceeding is as bogus… More
PEN America Publishes Fifth DREAMing Out Loud Anthology: Original Essays, Poems, Short Stories, Plays From Migrant Authors in New York City
“These are voices that deserve to be recognized, championed, and taken into our hearts,” said Jared Jackson, director of Literary Programs and Emerging Voices. “Their stories are unique and… More
PEN America Joins More Than 60 NGOs Calling for Release of Chinese Lawyer Detained in Laos
“We call on third party governments to ask Lao authorities to immediately halt Lu Siwei’s repatriation and to move quickly to ensure he has access to the relevant UN… More
Crackdown on Free Expression and Dissent Widens in Tunisia, With Arrest of Poet and Scholar Sami Dhibi Over a Facebook Post
Justin Shilad, Middle East and North Africa research and advocacy lead at PEN America, said: “Dhibi’s arrest is a sign of a government afraid of its own people, and… More
New PEN America White Paper: The Human Spark That Drives Creativity Must be Safeguarded As Potential Threats Loom from Artificial Intelligence
“Generative AI and automated tools represent a sea change in how artists, journalists, and writers create, interact with, and disseminate content, and how the public understands and consumes it.… More
PEN America: Bill Intended to Protect Children Online Would Likely Block Them From Information They Need, Especially on Health and Wellness Concerns
"Platforms would almost certainly choose to over-filter content rather than not—and some platforms might move to prohibit access to minors completely. If the Kids Online Safety Act is passed,… More
PEN America: “Disturbing” Decision to Take Away 28 School Libraries in Houston
“To remove libraries and librarians under the guise of “transformation” is shocking and disturbing,” said Kasey Meehan, Program Director for Freedom to Read at PEN America. “School libraries and… More
Texas Law Requiring Book Ratings for “Sexual Relevance” in Schools Spurs Lawsuit
Jonathan Friedman, director, Free Expression and Education program, at PEN America, said: "This law is clearly an effort to intimidate publishers and police the circulation of ideas and information.… More